Dover and District Beekeepers Association: October 2022

Newsletter October 2022

Thanks to all who contacted me with the “confirmed sighting of an Asian Hornet” in our area; it was found on its own in the Tower Hamlets area, Dover, no nest discovered. So it may have been a lost specimen, but proves the value of downloading the AH app to your phone.

Keep your eyes open especially near ivy flowers.

All members are encouraged to take the AH training exercise on line, makes you think! You just need your BBKA number [starts with 23]. https://www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet-action-team-map

CREDIT FOR Mary Hill [ DDBKA member & judge for our show]

Beecraft magazine have a monthly prize of a personalised hive tool for the top beekeeping tip from readers each month. Mary won for her practical method of transferring a Q from a mating nuc to a regular frame. Well done!

Also, congratulations to Malcolm & CJ who won first prize for their lovely clear honey at the East Kent Ploughing match. I won for the set honey; & the whole stand - Thanet, Canterbury & Dover BKAs, took first prize for the best Trade Stand of 2022, a very large silver cup.

I was introduced to Lord Northbourne there, whose farm was hosting the day, & who is looking for a local beekeeper to use some of his acres for beehives to increase pollination & diversity on his land. Contact me if this could be you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DDBKA Honey Show, October 22^nd 2:30pm

Sue, our Show Secretary, has asked me to remind you that the time for your entries is drawing closer & we really need to fill the hall with a fine display of honey & hive products to show the great variety of bee-related items that can be made & used.

CHANGE FOR SENDING ENTRIES – much simpler, deadline now 19^th [no post involved]

Email your entry forms to Sue, suecourt@hotmail.co.uk or call 07979 253242. When you come to set out your entries early on Saturday morning [22^nd] your identification cards & the class labels will be waiting for you & your entries.

Competition is friendly, but please read the rules! Judges often give tips on improving your honey, no matter how perfect you may think it already is!

HONEY JARS

Now at Unit 12, AB Crush panel beaters, opposite the Shepherdswell turning on the A2 to Five Oaks, Geddinge CT4 6RY. The procedure remains the same, order to me, payment to Philip, collection on a Friday from 11 to 12, it is a really busy site with vehicles, deliveries etc.

PRICES: 1lb jars, including lids, in boxes of 72 £23.50 12oz jars & lids remain at £29 for 72 8oz round jars & lids are £34.50 for 128 8oz hexagonal jars & lids are £34.50 for 108. Spare lids available for all sizes.

Jar demand is decreasing now, a new order may be placed soon, but prices rise as prices do, in the new year.

BBKA tell me that October 21^st is National Honey Day,

We are supposed to ask everyone we know to support bees by buying a jar of local honey.

From the enquiries I receive that often seems to be quite a difficult task. So, at our Show on the 22^nd, we can persuade visitors to buy local honey, if you bring along some to be sold, correctly labelled of course.

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This came as an invitation to Kent’s Plan Bee, an on-line event. Dear colleagues and partners, On behalf of Seán Holden, Chair of Kent’s Plan Bee, I am pleased to attach an invitation to this year’s Plan Bee summit. To be held virtually on 22^rd November, this event will consider how the future management of Kent’s land may help deliver benefits for our pollinators and help to reverse the decline of these important insects. Please see attached for further details.

Registration for the event is via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kents-plan-bee-summit-2022-land-management-for-pollinators-tickets-435724101517